Chương 8: An abandoned child

Caedes' POV

"I feel like I am going crazy! My so-called father. After all, It's just a dream. And dreams can't be real. Right? Mr. Therapist. They're just a manifestation of my loneliness. Yes, that girl is just a fake. AANYA ASTAROTH IS A FAKE, NO ONE LIKE THAT EXISTS!"

My tears had dried up, replaced by a cold, detached fury. Aman's empathetic gaze and gentle words only seemed like rubbing salt in my wounds.

I kicked the chair back, standing up. Unable to shake the feeling that this room, with all its careful touches and calming atmosphere, was a sanctuary for those who still had hope but for me, it was just another place to confront the emptiness inside.

"2 years, that's how long I have been having these dreams-"

"Listen to me, Caedes. We can do this—" My adopted father, Aman began. The man had honey laced to his tone. Trying to calm me down.

But I had reached a breaking point. I surged to my feet, fists clenched at my sides.

"No. You listen to me," I snapped, my voice shaking with barely restrained rage. "I am done."

Aman opened his mouth to speak, probably trying to help me, but I cut him off. My words were a torrent of bottled feelings—of the rage and helplessness that consumed me. "You know what? You can sit the fuck here, finding ways to make me 'live my life.' While I, your adopted son and YOUR dear patient, shall go and get myself beaten. Why? BECAUSE THAT'S MY FUCKING LIFE. People like us? We don't get to live."

I saw my father's face grow ashen, but I couldn't stop. The words kept pouring out, a bitter repetition of all the pain and hopelessness I felt.

The room felt like a prison, the walls closing in on me as I watched his face pale, his eyes wide with shock and hurt. My breath came in ragged gasps, my body trembling with the intensity of my emotions.

"It's like I'm living two lives, two awful, painful lives. One here and one there. And in both, I can't escape the suffering," I croaked, heartbroken.

"You sit here," I continued, my voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "In your nice, comfortable room, with your nice, comfortable life, and you think you can understand what it's like for me? Not only do I not know my family heritage, but if that wasn't enough? I can't even awaken my ancestral bloodline, for god's sake!"

He rose slowly, reaching out a hand to comfort me, but I stepped back, shaking my head. "Don't," I warned, my voice breaking. "Don't touch me. Don't try to fix me. I'm not something you can fix."

The silence that followed was deafening, the tension between us a palpable, living thing. I turned on my heel, my steps heavy as I made my way to the door. I paused, my hand on the doorknob, and looked back at my so-called father, who stood there, looking more broken than I had ever seen him.

"Goodbye," I said softly, the word a final severing bond between the two of us. "I hope you find someone else to save."

With that, I walked out, leaving him standing alone in the therapist's room, the door closing with a quiet click behind me.

Caedes was hurt, but so was Aman. If only they knew that meeting each other was not a coincidence.

It was fate.

***

In one of the distant streets of Syra, I walked quietly. My destination was unknown.

"You can never awaken a bloodline."

The night was dark, the wind cold. Today was the 29th of February, Year 2019.

With a dull streetlight giving hope to brightness in this upsetting atmosphere, rain poured down on the entire place. I walked toward a corner and rummaged through the bins placed there—I was famished.

Unfortunately for me, the only thing that was near edible was the dried leaves inside. "Ughhh."

Feeling my legs lose strength, I slumped down to the ground with my back against the wall. I was tired.

Wearing a blue T-shirt and black pants, I blankly stared at the television in one of the shops in front of me.

"Lucas Morningstar, the prince to the domain of Rome, has reportedly just awakened an origin bloodline! And guess what? He's just 13 years old! Following the death of King Rey, everything in Rome has changed. After what looked like the darkest three years, a new hope shines in the form of this young heir."

"Is there anything I can help you with, kid?" an old man dressed in plain clothes asked me. I seemed lost, my eyes listless.

Finally gaining a sense of clarity, I glanced at the fat old man, who wore a white shirt with khaki pants. Shaking my head, I stood up suddenly and started walking again. Aimlessly.

Sometimes I wonder if I hadn't lost my memory three years ago… Would I live a more peaceful life then? Heh—all everyone tells me is that I had a family. That I had been abandoned.

The city bustled, with shops shining like lanterns and people who had no intention of missing this eventful evening.

Even though it was raining, it seemed to make no difference to the people, as if they were already used to the heavy rainfall that this place endured. They went around with next to no concern.

Unknown to them, there was a boy wishing for nothing more than to be lost in this uncaring world.

People often make fun of the world and its mortal shackles, unaware of the sufferings that the unfortunate ones bear. Yet, how many would still joke around when they get the news of being useless their whole life? Of being abandoned?

Would you still laugh?

When all seemed bleak for humans during the great war thousands of years ago because of the decreasing number of people who awakened their soul weapons, humans found the ancient gods' realm—the grave of gods. They discovered the gods' essence.

An object or relic of the past, said to be formed from the remnants of a dead god. By drawing their blood upon it, an individual can merge and awaken the bloodline of that god. To make it better, these bloodlines were passed through generations!

Every mother in this world wants the best for her child… But my mother abandoned me, especially when I needed her most. I had lost my memories. And there was no one to help me. Until my fake of a therapist adopted me.

I didn't lose hope, just like Theo had said. I learned to fight and even won many battles and tournaments. I was one of the top seeds in this domain… Until everyone started to awaken, and I didn't. That was how I was abandoned for the second time in the last three years.

Not expecting to meet anyone, I saw the figure of Oslo standing in front of me, his hands in the air.

"Oslo, I can—" My attempt to talk failed as his hand started glowing.

"Zzz."

A streak of lightning left his hands, moving towards me. Being the weakling I was, I tried to run away.

"Ahh!" I screamed out loud as my body lost balance, hitting the cement road with a thud. Tears of extreme pain streamed down my eyes as I slowly felt my surroundings blur.

It was not long before he lost consciousness. Unknown of how his fate was gonna change all over again.

***

Who was this Oslo? Why did he attack Caedes? What was the relationship between them?